SSA Board Visits Sunflower Aerodrome

Sept. 26, 2008 - Wichita

The SSA's Board of Directors is convening it's Fall meeting tomorrow, at the heart of American general aviation, Wichita, Kansas. The 22 Directors from all corners of the country will convene to discuss normal business matters, budgets, programs, and administration plans for the upcoming year. It will be difficult to maintain focus on these duties, as sleek, new Cessna, Beech(Raytheon) and other aircraft slip overhead from the Mid-Continent Airport meeting site.

On Friday, prior to the meeting, the Board toured the Sunflower Aerodrome in Yoder, Kansas as the guests of Bill Seed of Hutchinson. Bill has owned the ex-Navy airfield since 1977, and the site has been host to many contests in the ‘70's and ‘80's.

Bill's long-time commitment to soaring has been manifested by his preserving this site for central-states glider activities. The Kansas Soaring Association has based their nearly 100 members here, with two towplanes and nearly 75 owner-flown aircraft.

The prominent landmark operations and radio tower structure has served it's natural lifetime, and is not now used. It did allow a few pilots to achieve a minor altitude gain over the field elevation during the trip.

Following the Saturday meeting, many Directors will enjoy the annual Ralph Barnaby Lecture hosted by the National Soaring Museum. SSA's business transactions will be reported more fully through the magazine and subsequent Director's reports. - C. Brickner